ONLY one thing mattered to Warren Gatland after Wales survived a scare against Samoa to keep alive their World Cup quarter-final hopes – the result.

A 17-10 victory at Waikato Stadium means Wales remain on course for a last-eight clash – probably against Ireland – in Wellington on October 8.

Samoa, though, threatened to inflict a hat-trick of World Cup calamities on Wales following their wins in the 1991 and 1999 tournaments, until wing Shane Williams scored his 55th Test try.

Williams struck 13 minutes from time, finishing off a flowing move started by substitute full-back Leigh Halfpenny, as Wales overcame an alarming 10-6 interval deficit.

If they can see off remaining group opponents Namibia and Fiji, then that should be enough to march on, especially as Samoa have yet to face world champions South Africa.

It was neither fluent nor pretty and had shades of an underwhelming 17-13 success against the South Sea Islanders in Cardiff two years ago, yet Wales prevailed after a game coach Gatland conceded might not have gone their way in the past.

But they could yet be left to count the cost as fitness updates are awaited on full-back James Hook (shoulder) and flanker Dan Lydiate (ankle), whose injuries will require scans.

Initial reports on Lydiate are not encouraging, and it is understood he could face a fitness race to make the quarter-finals should Wales progress that far.

“I thought we showed some great character,” said Gatland, after Wales’ first World Cup appearance in his home town.

“A few years ago, or 12 months earlier, we might not have won that game. We will dissect the performance and see where we can improve.

“In the first half, we tried to play a bit too much rugby, but our whole World Cup was about going out in that second half and digging deep.